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07 January, 2010

How many times have you asked your fellow about her interests and she had replied 'It is none of your business?' How many times did you ask your friend about her party wear and you received a staring gaze of annoyance? Maybe not as much as you ask your mate why she exposes herself or when you inquire about her Salah and she bluntly refuses or would much sarcastically reply, "Mind your own business!".

Yes! Mind Your Own Business! A phrase we have been brainwashed since so long. While in this age when people around us are swiftly transforming into Wannabe's with girls trying hard to talk like Angelina, with the most revealing costumes of Madonna and exposing their size zero following Kareena, and guys imitating Brad Pitt with the wicked styles of Mickel Jackson and Beckham, we have more or less adopted the sticky culture and themes of West. Chasing the glittery but vacant paths, everything for us is objective now. Bowing to the call of Secularism, religion and the duties assigned to us by Allah swt have become a mythical story.

"After a lot of experience, now I have come to know, that religion is purely a personal matter!" said my Brother to my despair. I was aware of the immense toxic of secularism penetrating deep into the rich soil of loyalty and faith of Muslim world, yet I was astounded by his reply.

Secularism is actually an ideology suggesting that state practices or institutions should exist separately from religion or religious beliefs. It's ironical that we, the Muslims are still unaware of these ruthless ideologies cracking down our spiritual land. The vast majority of our youth is fed on the fast flowing traditions of European culture which is immensely thought to be the most successful and developed society.

A Muslim, in this era, who is born in an ignorant environment and is brought up in a society which is flourishing upon Secularism, finds himself agonized about his real identity. He takes the religion, Islam as outdated code for it does not 'get along' with the worldly issues and hence he ends up dividing himself into compartments. One compartment is for Religious self (which is confined to ritual worships) and other is for the Social self (which is based on all the worldly matters). This categorization lays the foundation of this phrase, Religion-a personal matter, a complete Secular belief.

Now when my Brother, right in front of me was reflecting the same ideology, I was unable to believe it anything but a Muslim thought. Do we literally know our religion, Deen ul Islam? If the answer is Yes, then how can a Muslim render his faith as a personal matter, be it Deen (Religion) or Dunyah (World). Islam is a whole code of conduct for all the aspects of one's life. Unlike other Man-made religions of world; its does not insist on classifying the people into Worshipping class (Bishops,Nuns,Hindu and Budhist Missionaries) and the Occasional Followers (People visiting Churches, Mandirs and Tempels in spare times). These secular religions keep the two entities of Deen and Dunyah apart. Sadly we Muslims have fallen prey to such ideologies and have lost the essence of our life as well as the spiritual satisfaction we used to have through our faiths. This ideology has grown so far now, we see our brothers being killed, burned, humiliated, massacred, yet we remain silent.

However, the reality is different if we look into it. We regard a person as a Muslim immediately upon witnessing the Shahadah or while he performs an act of worship. So after this, It is by no means an overstatement, Deen and its matters are never personal to anyone. We are brought into existence by Allah, the Lord of Universes, as One Ummah.

Allah swt says in Quran;"Muslims are brothers, therefore make peace between the two brothers and fear Allah that the mercy may be shown to you." (AlQuran : 49:10).

This word Brother is quite clear, from every point that reflects the feeling of togetherness and sense of concern.

Further making the point clear Allah SWT says: "And verily this Ummah of yours is One Ummah and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other)."(AlQuran:23:52).

This word Ummah stresses on one origin, one nation with similar interests and aims.

In order to provoke sense of concern among all Muslims He SWT further adds; "And the Muslim men and women are protecting (and allied) friends to one another, bid for good and forbid evil and establish prayer and pay the poor-due (Zakat) and obey Allah and His Messenger. These are they on whom soon Allah will have mercy. Undoubtedly Allah is, Dominant, Wise."(AlQuran: 9:71).

These verses, not only create an unbreakable bond between all the Muslims as brethren but also provoke them for the feeling of concern all around the world, no matter where ever they are.

I always feel so enlightened whenever I look into the Life of Prophet, Upon Him be Peace, The way He Pbuh laid the foundation of a society based on Mutual Love, Benefit, Coperation and Justice is unexplainable in words. The Coperation between the Ansaar and Muhajareen has no parallel in History ever. When One Ansaari would share everything with his Muhajir brother, be it his own wife. This was the feeling of togetherness that was poured into them by the teachings of Prophet Pbuh. He Pbuh Himself was the one who used to cry in nights for His Ummah. If religion was really a personal matter, He PBUH would not have shed a single tear for us all. Muslims are supposed to work together towards a common goal which is put forward by the Quran and refected by the Prophet Pbuh through His Sunnah. They are brothers and sisters because they believe in common ideology of One God, and the unity of natural brotherhood.

Our petty differences have led us to nowhere but have divided us into Maslaks, Sects and Castes. This division has further grounded the unity of Ummah into pieces and has shattered the feelings of brotherhood. Great reformer, Allama Iqbal, reffered to the same issue as saying:

We are from ONE mother; we are Muslim, Brothers and Sisters. When people belong to one family, one origin, there is nothing personal between them. How can we see our brothers going wild in the world of sins and let them mind their own Business? How can we let our sisters getting all over in nudity, ignorance, and appraising seclusion and here we follow the prose, its none of our business? How can we see other Muslims play with fire?

See what Prophet Pbuh said; "None of you can be a Muslim untill He likes the same for his brother as he likes for himself." (Sahih Bukhari).

Can we still mind our own business? Will we let them go astray or will step forward to join hands with other Muslims to strive for Deen and Allah's pleasure?

Remember! We are One ummah, One family, we must endure loving our Brothers and Sisters. This is the end of times, we need to ignore all the petty differences , and start feeling concerned about our Brothers and Sisters who are ignorant towards Deen. It is our duty to call them to Right Path, we are no strangers but One nation. The problems we are facing today are the outcome of our sheer ignorance towards our duty of calling others to Deen. I would conclude with these words of Allah;

"You are the best among all those nations appeared unto mankind, you command to good, and forbid evil, and keep faith unto Allah. Had the people of the Book believed, then it was good for them. Some of them are Muslims and most of them are infidels."(Surah Ale Imran :3:110)

This is our business, command to good, and forbid the evil. Lets promice that we will not mind our own business but will remain concerned with our Muslim Brothers and Sisters, May Allah be our helper, Ameen.

Author : Sister Uzma Khan

The admin may or may not have the same views on the topic and would not like to be quoted on what has been said above. The admin, however, deems nothing wrong with changing opinions, hence, he does not wish to amend/remove posts that do not resonate with his current thinking.

“Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more than they love truth.”

Our mutual concern for each othr has kept the otherwise dead Ummah Alive. How I wish that someday we see our friend and ask/her How is ur Ieman (instead of "haal") to which he/she reply positively (rather then directing us to mind our own business) How I wish that !!

I wonder how mums wake up their children for school..calling them with love, then becoming a bit harsh and if required giving them few punched to take them off the bed..and when it comes to Fajr...I better stay mum !!! So thats the root cause, if we don't inculcate these religious values in our children they'd definitely turn out to be wannabe types as u mentioned Uzma..

And yes, Deen-ul-Islam is not the part of everything...Everything is a part of deen-ul-islam..we, our lives, our society, our attitude...everything...

@Bella, Sister JzakiLLAH !This is indeed the irony that we have lost the mutual bondage we used to have regarding our Eeman and its Intensity. Gone are the days when those Pure souls, the servants of Allah , inspite of being rewarded with Jannah in this world, having intense flair of Eemaan, they still would sit together and say 'Lets have Tajdeed-e-Eemaan'.... The reason? Not just they wanted their own level of Eemaan to be elevated but also they had a lasting effect on the others to encourage and rise in Allah's way.Today we can sit and gossip for hours, we can watch 3 hours movie, and can even spend whole evening shopping around, but when it comes to Deen and its discussions, we find it offensive.. 'Please change the topic- it scares me' is our ultimate answer whenever someone tries to talk about Death or Mout..Priorities have changed...Trends have changed...We are changed !

Something very sweet you said about the way you wish when you would ask someone someday about Eemaan.... =) U know what MashaALLAH its quite weired when you ask your friend 'Eemaan kesa hay ?'.... and she would say Eemaan ? kaun? =) I had tons of such experiences, but AlhamduliLLAH it yields alot. You can just start it today, because sometimes our this tiny question, lets the other person stop an Think.. Eemaan is also an entity of my life... where is that ?

Few months back I also get this sort of matter that why people keep them selves away from Deen. After this I take number of interview from my friends and scholar and also browsing some book and at end I get the result and I think this result as a core of all problem that we today here talking about. And that is problem is “MATERIALISM".

Keep in mind there are two kind of environment that we face in our daily life, one is Materialism (that man believe on Material Benefit), and second is Divinity (Man believe in Allah Almighty). Now in materialism, no one can imagine and see the God order and ultimately he fallow what ever comes in his/her mind. That why Quran say about such people in these words;

Then seest thou such a one as takes as his god his own vain desire? Allah has, knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart (and understanding), and put a cover on his sight. Who, then, will guide him after Allah (has withdrawn Guidance)? Will ye not then receive admonition? (Surah Surah 45. Al-Jathiyya Ayah 23 – Translation By Yusuf Ali)

Now if we roll back our thinking thousand years back when Allah sent Prophets to the nations in world then we will see that Prophet of Allah much focus on removing Materialism from the people. And they promote much of Fear of Allah in them by preaching and reading signs and books of Allah.

Like you have said that I ask my friends that “EMMAN KAISA HA?”… the same type of question I ask my friends those who not come to join prayer/ Nemaz? And always they say that you should go, we are coming in minutes. Now my friends disappear for the whole days after this. Later many times I ask them that “App Mujay Ajj sub kush bata do kay app Nemaz kiun Nehe Partay?” and there response always will these words “Bus Jaldi Shuru Karen gay” or “Nemaz kay bad meray lehay dua kia karo kay nemzi ban jahoun” or “ O yar sharo, inn batoun ko, har waqt phecay he lag jatay ho……” or “tum apni fiqir karo………………………………………………………………………..????? Imagine and just for minutes right now thinks that why they such? Thinks that they know and completely knowledge about Allah and they also know that one day we will died and after our performance in this world we will stand in front of Allah (on Day of Judgment), and Allah will make true and best justice ever in the whole universe. That why Quran say that on that day man will get what he have earn in this world.(al Quran). But after all this why man practice such……..???THINK!!!!!

Because of Materialism. Through history if we go then due to Materialism we hate each other, love and co-operation between us is at risk level and today we are killing each other and you can see that Terrorism and War occur due to Materialism, I agree that there are some objectives behind this but Materialism is core of all evil. Capitalism, communism, Atheistism, Fascism, Satanism are all base on Materialism though.

I know very well that in July 2009 when my elder brother disagree on me about my selection of Usul Deen (Islamic Studies), he say that “…..Is Degree kay bad tum kia karo gay? I say that I have complete trust on Allah that Allah will guide and help me in earning Halal. Later he say that “Apnay Bachoun ka be Souchna kay un ko kahan say Kelana hai?......... I become angry…………not because of insult because all of us here who read KALIMA know that Allah is Raazik and he already decide and write man food and life before his/her arrival in this world? Tell me any article or news that man died of hunger from any part of world, take example of lady that was taken out from her home after two month in massive Earth quake of Pakistan on Octuber 8, 2005. Where does she get food?? Thinks? Ultimately you will say that this was already by Allah.

As there are a lots of things to write but in short I will say that after along time I finally have to say that “MATERIALM IS A HIDDEN ANTICHRIST (DAJJAL)”. Because if you study the characteristic and properties of Dajjal then you will find the some characteristic in Materialism………..

In Divinity Environment, you will follow Allah but not following Desire and Passion that arise inside from you. In Divinity, you will not able to enjoy as materialistic person enjoy. That why Prohet Muhammad (sal-lal-hu-ale-e-Wasalam) say that “This world is like a jail to Momin and Jannah for Kafir. Through Divinity, khalifa system was emerge that is best system ever in the world before.

Like in Christian, illuminati was ranks as the number one to promote the materialism, same like happening in Muslim community, Qadiyani is number one that promoting materialism in us.

Muslim Ummah is not secular at all; from it first birth before 1400 to till today it is external forces (Illuminati’s, Qadiyani and Zionist) that don’t wish to have such days among Muslims. They create a lot of tension, barrier and threat in our way to forget and stop following Islam.

There is need of war against Materialism (instead of War against Terrorism). We at this young age need to work on removing the Materialism from our society. Just Thinks.

May Allah protect us from all evil forces that lead us to great destruction and disaster. And guide us to right path. Amin

Hello All,I totally agree with your point that Western culture (if that can be called culture) is corrupting away highest dignity that men deserve even among the angels.However, I differ at a few statements made here -1. When all men are created by God, how can only Muslims be brothers?2. All believers of Allah, who are not under the illusion created by the material world, form one community. The GOD in other religions is also Allah, only the name used is different based on the location of origin of that religion.3. God being only one - True believers of all religions reach the same end, to be with Allah.Also I cannot believe that this world exists independent of Allah. I believe this world was created by Allah from his own will - No material can or could have existed without or before Allah. So I don't find any problem with other religions where they bow before parents or teachers, everything we see are representations of Allah and none other. Some of us have fallen to illusions of this world thats it... otherwise there is not difference among men.

You've opposed a secular society by saying Islam is a religion dealing with all aspects of life. Should the laws of the land be made on the basis of Sharia? I'm guessing your answer is yes. If so, should it be based of hanafi, maliki, shafii, hanbali or jafferi madhab?

I'm Muslim, but what I determine is necessary to be a follower of Islam may be different than your determination. That's called life and it's between myself and Allah. Not everyone, even among the ummah, will agree about religion or its practice (let alone other people within the religious diversity outside of the ummah that exists within any modern pluralistic society). Not minding your own business leads to conflict, oppression, and lack of growth towards Allah (as we become more focused on other people and less time on being a true reflection of Allah). Allah judges each one of us; we should not be judging each other. The Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, was the last prophet to speak for Allah to the people. Telling other people how to practice Islam is like usurping power Allah did not bestow upon you. Thus, you should mind your own business (although that does not mean you should not have compassion for all people) or not strive to be like Allah. You should respect the autonomy of others and not be prideful and stand in the place of Allah or His prophets.

@ anonymous: you said "as muslims, we have a God given right to make decisions. and He will judge them for our actions. no one can tell me how to live my life."well...yes HeSWT gave us the right to decide...but bear in mind every decision we make will have a consequence...and by the way...your statement that no one can tell you how to live your life is very inappropriate...coz we are Allah's SWT slaves and He has already told us how to live our lives thru His Prophet (peace be upon him)...and a slave doesnt question it's master...a slave's duty is to obey Him...AND if we are not His slave then we are a slave to someone or something else...we can even be slaves of own self... "Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his ilah (god), and Allah knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember?"45:23

may AllahSWT help us to be His true and sincere slaves and bestow His guidance, Love and Mercy on us in this world and the next! Aameeen!

1. When all men are created by God, how can only Muslims be brothers?Answer: We strive for universal brotherhood and that is only possible if everyone believes in Allah and his deen. If people don't have common beliefs and a common system to govern them, they don't actually become brothers.

2. All believers of Allah, who are not under the illusion created by the material world, form one community. The GOD in other religions is also Allah, only the name used is different based on the location of origin of that religion.Answers: Not necessarily. If someone attributes the same qualities to God as we have in Surah Al Ikhlas only then can we call it to be the True God. Because, definition of God must match. Christians believe in God, but they believe in a begotten God too, and they don't believe in oneness of God and they have three-in-one Gods, so they don't actually believe in Allah. Yes, it doesn't matter whatever name you give to God, because to Him belongs all the good names.

Yes, a man-made system is full of flaws and doesn't protect the human rights and in the long run it serves the destruction of humanity. We've seen the same with communism and now with secular democracy. So, the only solution that ensures world peace and progress is Islamic System of governance that is Khilafah, which is actually to use this power as a means to implement the divine System. And if there is some disagreement over implementation over a particular system, then it can be discussed in some Shu'ra board, and in light of Qur'an and Sunnah the correct decision can be reached, with a hope and firm belief that even if the decision we reached was wrong, Allah will forgive us, because we tried our best to understand his Law.

Unity doesn't mean Uniformity. We should share the same vision, beliefs and mission and it is not necessary that we are hundred percent uniform in the performance of the rituals or the understanding of laws!

You can discuss the Fatwa with me on Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail, whether on mail or chat. And you aren't presenting the Fatwa's Summary in a 'correct' way ! Adult Suckling is something on which even the Sahabas differed ! And difference of opinion is not a big problem as you are presenting it ! The decision made by the Shura board of the Khalifah is the one which would become a compulsion to follow ! I presume you are a Shi'aa, kindly refer to Khomeni's Wilyatul Faqih,and he has mentioned similar things !

You are more than welcome to discuss this with me on chat. I don't want you to throw so much at one time and confuse people. You can catch me up at Skype (awais148) or gmail (Muhammad.Awais.Tahir) or Facebook, rite now !

so reply to me on skype. by the way, im sure other people on this blog would like to see the sahih muslim hadith explained which permits adult suckling. surely you don't want to deny them this knowledge?

You are more than welcome to discuss this with me on chat. I don't want you to throw so much at one time and confuse people. You can catch me up at Skype (awais148) or gmail (Muhammad.Awais.Tahir) or Facebook, rite now !

You can discuss the Fatwa with me on Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail, whether on mail or chat. And you aren't presenting the Fatwa's Summary in a 'correct' way ! Adult Suckling is something on which even the Sahabas differed ! And difference of opinion is not a big problem as you are presenting it ! The decision made by the Shura board of the Khalifah is the one which would become a compulsion to follow ! I presume you are a Shi'aa, kindly refer to Khomeni's Wilyatul Faqih,and he has mentioned similar things !

Yes, a man-made system is full of flaws and doesn't protect the human rights and in the long run it serves the destruction of humanity. We've seen the same with communism and now with secular democracy. So, the only solution that ensures world peace and progress is Islamic System of governance that is Khilafah, which is actually to use this power as a means to implement the divine System. And if there is some disagreement over implementation over a particular system, then it can be discussed in some Shu'ra board, and in light of Qur'an and Sunnah the correct decision can be reached, with a hope and firm belief that even if the decision we reached was wrong, Allah will forgive us, because we tried our best to understand his Law.

I know very well that in July 2009 when my elder brother disagree on me about my selection of Usul Deen (Islamic Studies), he say that “…..Is Degree kay bad tum kia karo gay? I say that I have complete trust on Allah that Allah will guide and help me in earning Halal. Later he say that “Apnay Bachoun ka be Souchna kay un ko kahan say Kelana hai?......... I become angry…………not because of insult because all of us here who read KALIMA know that Allah is Raazik and he already decide and write man food and life before his/her arrival in this world? Tell me any article or news that man died of hunger from any part of world, take example of lady that was taken out from her home after two month in massive Earth quake of Pakistan on Octuber 8, 2005. Where does she get food?? Thinks? Ultimately you will say that this was already by Allah.

As there are a lots of things to write but in short I will say that after along time I finally have to say that “MATERIALM IS A HIDDEN ANTICHRIST (DAJJAL)”. Because if you study the characteristic and properties of Dajjal then you will find the some characteristic in Materialism………..

In Divinity Environment, you will follow Allah but not following Desire and Passion that arise inside from you. In Divinity, you will not able to enjoy as materialistic person enjoy. That why Prohet Muhammad (sal-lal-hu-ale-e-Wasalam) say that “This world is like a jail to Momin and Jannah for Kafir. Through Divinity, khalifa system was emerge that is best system ever in the world before.

Like in Christian, illuminati was ranks as the number one to promote the materialism, same like happening in Muslim community, Qadiyani is number one that promoting materialism in us.

Muslim Ummah is not secular at all; from it first birth before 1400 to till today it is external forces (Illuminati’s, Qadiyani and Zionist) that don’t wish to have such days among Muslims. They create a lot of tension, barrier and threat in our way to forget and stop following Islam.

There is need of war against Materialism (instead of War against Terrorism). We at this young age need to work on removing the Materialism from our society. Just Thinks.

May Allah protect us from all evil forces that lead us to great destruction and disaster. And guide us to right path. Amin

@Bella, Sister JzakiLLAH !This is indeed the irony that we have lost the mutual bondage we used to have regarding our Eeman and its Intensity. Gone are the days when those Pure souls, the servants of Allah , inspite of being rewarded with Jannah in this world, having intense flair of Eemaan, they still would sit together and say 'Lets have Tajdeed-e-Eemaan'.... The reason? Not just they wanted their own level of Eemaan to be elevated but also they had a lasting effect on the others to encourage and rise in Allah's way.Today we can sit and gossip for hours, we can watch 3 hours movie, and can even spend whole evening shopping around, but when it comes to Deen and its discussions, we find it offensive.. 'Please change the topic- it scares me' is our ultimate answer whenever someone tries to talk about Death or Mout..Priorities have changed...Trends have changed...We are changed !

Something very sweet you said about the way you wish when you would ask someone someday about Eemaan.... =) U know what MashaALLAH its quite weired when you ask your friend 'Eemaan kesa hay ?'.... and she would say Eemaan ? kaun? =) I had tons of such experiences, but AlhamduliLLAH it yields alot. You can just start it today, because sometimes our this tiny question, lets the other person stop an Think.. Eemaan is also an entity of my life... where is that ?